Do you enjoy connecting ideas that don’t always appear related? Barry Commoner wrote that the first law of ecology is “everything is connected to everything else”. His four laws of ecology about the interconnection of people and planet are foundational for any and all of us idea weavers. Are you an idea weaver?
We often look at topics in singular dimensions but if we let our weaving skills and curiosity guide us, we can often discover a richness of colors and dimensions. Let’s wake up your weaving brain. Grab a pen and draw arrows between any of the topics that you see connections.
- The environment
- Communities
- The Arts
- Leadership
- Justice
- Innovation
- Spirituality
- Music
- Politics
- Architecture
- Food
- Technology
Are you seeing the picture? Everything is connected to everything else.
Barry Commoner’s 1971 book The Closing Circle outlines the “laws of ecology”. He was an idea weaver and along with Rachel Carson they were the first to sound the alarm bells on the impending environmental crisis. Their ability to show how everything was connected to everything else led to a global awakening on the threats to air, water and land.
More and more thought leaders are now generating publications, videos and presentations that are weaving seemingly disconnected content. However, when we read about them we ask…”Why didn’t we think that way before?”
Lisa Whited’s new book Work Better. Save the Planet is a classic example of a thought leader who has taken to heart the first law of ecology.Lisa is a change management strategist who has thoughtfully considered how where we work, space design, collaboration, carbon footprint and health and wellness are all connected. Her recent publication demonstrates how systems level thinking can create new ways of connecting with each other at work and in our communities.
Intersectional Environmentalist is rooted in intersectional environmentalism, an inclusive approach to environmentalism that advocates for the protection of both people + the planet. Leah Thomas’s book weaves together the threads of climate justice, environmental education, policy, and activism with equity, inclusion and restorative justice in mind.
Who are the thought weavers you are following?
What ideas can you weave together this week? Who will you bring together? What action steps can you take?
